Every summer as the temperatures rise I seek higher ground and the shade of trees. This year I did a search on the highest roads in Nevada expecting to find a list of mountain passes cataloged by the Nevada Department of Transportation. But instead I came across an entry for the highest roads in Nevada …
The Biggest Little City, Reno, NV is surrounded by mountains, the Carson Range, the Bald Mountain Range, Peavine, the Pah Rah Range, and the Virginia and Flowery Ranges. They are all a draw to the bikepacking wanderlust. While they are are magical in their own way the Pah Rah Range has had a particular pull …
Looking back at the start of the ride, Hualapai Flat to Black Rock Desert Leadville Road from the start There are hundreds of miles of gravel roads and jeep trails around and through the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA). A bikepacker's paradise. Gerlach is the pedestal for …
Continue reading Ride Report; Washoe County Road 34, Leadville Rd
I envision four major routes showcasing The Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. First is the gravel County Road 34. The road is paved out of Gerlach but turns to dirt to the north at Hualapai Flat. Then it is about 60 miles to Vya. The road runs along …
Continue reading Ride Report; Black Rock Desert to Soldier Meadows Rd
The Calico Hills and Mountains as I had left them Division (8533') and South Donnelly (7719') Peaks are snow covered In planning this route I knew I was going to peak out at 7100' yet my goal was to keep my elevation low to avoid the snow. Low and slow is a challenge in this …
Continue reading Ride Report; Granite Range, Negro Creek to Leadville Canyon
The Granite Range keeps an eye on the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area Looking forward to 2019, especially the winter months when I have more time to ride, I have proposed to myself to explore the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area with the goal of …
Continue reading Ride Report; First Glimpse into the Granite Range
San Juan Creek encroaches on San Juan Rd For my first major ride in the Toiyabe Range I proposed to Patrick Smith we either ride from the north trailhead to descend at Washington Creek or continue on to San Juan Creek as logical exit points for the Toiyabe Crest Trail. We chose the earlier descent …
Continue reading Ride Report; San Juan Creek and Cottonwood Canyon
Buying a packraft for touring in the driest state sounds a little crazy. But during the storms of 2017 Nevadan deserts flooded. The desert's alkali flats, playas, ancient lake beds went from dusty dry hard pan to feet of water. We are coming up on 2 years since these storms dropped record rain and snow …
Continue reading Gear Review: Kokopelli Hornet-lite Packraft
After riding through the Pine Nut Mountains on Sunrise Pass Rd I heard from Murphy Mack on Facebook Messenger: Minden > Yerrington > Minden 114.1 mi, +7458 ft. Starts in Douglas County, NV ridewithgps.com dec? The message showed a fantastic loop extending my ride around the Buckskin Range and through the Singaste Range to Yerington …
Continue reading Through the Wassuk Range; Yerington to Walker Lake
I was having a tough time figuring where to go on this trip. I had just spent some time near Sand Mountain and I need to plan my route between Sand Mountain and the Oregon border at McDermitt. One thought was to ride from Stillwater Wildlife Refuge to Ryepatch Reservoir. I also considered driving to …